Fernhill House trials anti-loneliness technology

The home has teamed up Hello Daisy – an easy to use low cost
alternative to video messaging programmes such as Skype, which will connect the
user to friends, family, community organisations and health professionals.

The
mobile phone sized equipment, which can be voice activated, is plugged into the
TV – enabling the viewer to connect to those important to them – making it
invaluable for people who find it difficult to get out of their homes.

The
system was developed following in-depth research into the health impacts of
loneliness on older people, and the barriers preventing them from communicating
with friends, family and community.

The
core package will be tweaked following feedback from its trial partners such as
Fernhill House, Southbank University and Age UK, with the aim that it will be
launched in October.

Research
shows that more than a million of the 11 people in the UK have no human contact
for a month, with 700,000 leaving the house only once week or less.

Studies
have linked loneliness to a range of health problems, from high blood pressure
and a weakened immune system to depression, heart disease and strokes, with one
study showing that loneliness is twice as unhealthy as obesity.

Age UK
data shows that 35 per cent of the UK's over 65s have never used the internet
due to lack of interest, skills or money, with 26 per cent trying it but giving
up for health reasons such as poor eyesight or cognitive function.

Fernhill
House manager Mike Dearn said: “Being lonely not only makes life miserable for
older people, it also makes them more vulnerable to illness and disease.

“Loneliness
is a serious threat to a happy and healthy later life. For many older people TV is their constant
companion and they understand how it works. The Hello Daisy device is a natural
extension of that and means, as long as the TV is switched on, that they can
get in touch with their friends and family immediately.”